Short Summary

SOUTH VIETNAM'S AIR FORCE COMMANDER, BRIGADIER-GENERAL NGUYEN KAO KY, ONE OF THE "YOUNG TURK" OFFICERS WHO STAGED A PARTIAL COUP ON DECEMBER 20, MET STUDENTS IN SAIGON ON WEDNESDAY.

Description

SOUTH VIETNAM'S AIR FORCE COMMANDER, BRIGADIER-GENERAL NGUYEN KAO KY, ONE OF THE "YOUNG TURK" OFFICERS WHO STAGED A PARTIAL COUP ON DECEMBER 20, MET STUDENTS IN SAIGON ON WEDNESDAY. THE COUP LED TO THE DISSOLUTION OF THE HIGH NATIONAL COUNCIL WHICH SERVED AS A PROVISIONAL LEGISLATURE.

THE GENERAL TOLD THE STUDENT NOT TO REGARD STAGNATION IN THE COUNTRY AS STABILITY. HE ASSURED THEM THAT THERE WAS NO FEAR THAT AMERICA WOULD SEEK NEUTRALISATION OF SOUTH VIETNAM. HE SAID HE BELIEVED IT WOULD BE FOOLISH FOR THE UNITED STATES TO SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SOUTH VIETNAM THEN OFFER THE COUNTRY TO VIET CONG CONTROL, WHICH WOULD BE THE EFFECT OF ANY MOVE TOWARDS DECLARING THE AREA NEUTRAL.

(IN THE BLOODLESS COUP, THE GROUP OF YOUNG GENERAL COMMANDING FIGHTING UNITS IN THE FIELD AGAINST THE VIET CONG, DISSOLVED THE HIGH NATIONAL COUNCIL, PURGED DISSIDENT POLITICIANS, AND TOOK OVER CONTROL OF THE ARMED FORCES IN A MOVE TO RE-ESTABLISH STRONG MILITARY CONTROL OVER THE PRESENT CIVILIAN REGIME.)